Blog & Guides

Welcome to the Visit Bristol blog, your one-stop shop for ideas, inspiration and handy tips to make your time in Bristol that bit better!

From suggested itineraries to festival round-ups and unmissable things to do, our guides aim to showcase the best of the city, whatever the time of year. We publish new blogs every week and keep our blog posts up-to-date with the latest information, so you can trust that you’re getting the most accurate and useful tips for your trip.

Planning a trip with the family? Check out our guides on Places to stay with kids in and around Bristol and Things to do with teenagers. We’ve also got a list of 60 free things to do to keep costs down.

Coming here to sample as much of the food scene as you can? Have a read through our list of Bristol’s Michelin-starred restaurants, top cocktail bars and pub gardens, or find the best places to go for vegan food while you’re here. We’re sure you’ll also want to try a tasty Sunday roast while you’re here – we've rounded up a few of the best of those too!

If you’re local to Bristol, or here for a few days, we’ve also got plenty of suggestions for day trips to the north, south, east and west of the city so that you can experience as much of the region as possible. Maybe you want to tick off all of the World Heritage Sites near Bristol, or discover our most accessible outdoor attractions.

We’ll also have seasonal guides to help you get the most out of Summer in Bristol, from rooftop bars to scenic cycle routes, or find out what’s on for Christmas in and around the city.

Keep checking back for more brilliant Bristol inspiration!

Exterior of The Llandoger Trow on King Street, Bristol

The Weird Bristol Pub Crawl

Oct. 28, 2026

Bristol is famed for its varied and popular pub scene, but locals and visitors alike are often unaware of the stories behind some of our most historic drinking establishments. Local author Charlie Revelle-Smith (Weird Bristol) has put together a pub crawl featuring five of our oldest pubs, each with…

A view of Christmas Steps in central Bristol at night

11 of the most haunted places in Bristol

Oct. 26, 2026

As Halloween is fast approaching, it’s got us in the mood for goosebump-inducing tales of supernatural, mystical goings-on. We asked Bristol ghost Pundit John, of Haunted and Hidden Walking Tours, to reveal his top 11 most haunted places in Bristol, visited on his excursions around the city. From a…

Restaurants in Bristol perfect for large groups

Oct. 23, 2026

There are plenty of places to treat your gathering to a special meal, from a boat with a view to a grand house in the countryside. These are 12 of the best, suited for large groups and with delectable food and drink offerings. Racks Bar and Kitchen Located in Clifton just off Whiteladies Road, Racks…

An aerial view of hot air balloons flying over Bristol Harbourside

Swap London for Bristol: our top travel 'dupes'

Oct. 20, 2026

Avoid the stress and bustle of the capital city and come to Bristol instead! We've listed some destination dupes where you can swap some of London's best-known attractions for a quieter (and often cheaper) version in our beautiful city. Swap The Cutty Sark for... Brunel's SS Great Britain The famous…

A stock image of books stacked on a shelf

Bristol for book lovers

Oct. 16, 2026

Wander through this lively, colourful city and you’ll soon understand how it has inspired the stories of some of literature’s most famous writers. From its medieval Old City to its culturally diverse enclaves. Here’s an introduction to help you explore Bristol’s literary legacies… Famous literary…

A mother and her young daughter in the grounds of Westonbirt Arboretum near Bristol in autumn - credit Johnny Hathaway

Bristol's best autumn walks

Oct. 14, 2026

When the landscapes of Britain are starting to change colour, golden leaves spatter the ground and there’s an official whiff of autumn in the air, there’s nothing quite like heading outdoors to experience this magical time of year. We’ve put together a guide to some of the best places for an…

Old Market Assembly venue packed with people enjoying a meal

Bristol's best party venues

Oct. 09, 2026

Planning a party? Whatever the occasion or vibe you're after, Bristol has a whole host of venues to host your event, from private dining to cocktails in a mock prison cell! Here are our top venues to celebrate in the city: King Street Brew House, Old City The Tank Room at King Street Brew House…

A surfer riding a wave at The Wave inland surfing lake near Bristol - credit The Wave

How to spend a Monday in Bristol

Oct. 06, 2026

Monday blues? Not in Bristol. Swap work for play and get your fill of culture, adventure, great food and good times in the city. Here are some top ways to keep the weekend vibes going and kick off your week in the best way possible. Visit Bristol's top attractions Many of Bristol's most popular…

Quirky places to stay in Bristol

Oct. 02, 2026

Explore some of the more unusual places to stay in and around the city, from lakeside glamping to a grand Tudor castle. Boutique budget at Bristol's former police HQ The Bristol Wing is a quirky, boutique hostel housed in the restored Bristol Police headquarters. The site dates back to the 13th…

Spicer+Cole at the RWA - credit Spicer+Cole

Bristol's best bakeries

Sep. 28, 2026

In Bristol, you’re never far away from the scent of freshly baked bread or a counter chock-a-block with impressive cakes. Here are some of our favourite bakeries where you can satisfy any hankering for great bakes. Pinkmans Sour-dough-nuts are the star of the show at Pinkmans, which has several…